If you have tried all the tricks in the book and still feel you need assistance in the sleep department then maybe it is time to consider getting some outside help. There is a wide range of sleep support services and facilities available in Brisbane to assist with sleep issues in babies, ranging from residential sleep schools to sleep consultants who can complete an in-home visit.
Considerations When Choosing a Sleep School or Sleep Consultant
Staff Qualifications: Check what qualifications staff members hold.
Methods Used: Ask what methods they use and make sure you are comfortable with what’s on offer and from what age can they help?
Length of Stay: If you are using a residential sleep school, how long is the stay? And if you are utilising the services of a sleep consultant, what is the length of their services.
Environment: If possible, ask for a tour of the sleep school environment, so you can see if it will suit you and your child. Is it noisy, too clinical or dirty?
Referral Requirements: Many sleep schools will require a valid referral from a health professional. In addition, there may also be catchment area restrictions on admissions.
Cost: Whilst there may be little or no cost involved with public residential sleep school with a valid referral, private establishments may have substantial fees, so be sure you have a clear understanding of all costs involved before committing. Check with your private health insurance company to see if they will cover any of the costs.
Reviews: If you visit your local Facebook Groups and search for “baby sleep” you will find a lot of other parents who are in the same boat you are. Check the recommendations and reviews to give you an idea on what to expect from each service.
If you are sleep deprived you are probably in no fit state to be researching where the nearest sleep school is, so we have done the hard work for you and listed some local sleep schools and sleep consultants that may be worth considering.
Residential Sleep Schools
Ellen Barron Family Centre
Ellen Barron Family Centre is a residential facility based in Chermside (on the grounds of The Prince Charles Hospital) providing multi-disciplinary, specialist child health services for families experiencing settling, sleeping or feeding difficulties with their little ones. This service requires a valid referral from a health professional and may be subject to catchment area restrictions.
Brisbane Early Parenting Centre
The Brisbane Early Parenting Centre (formerly Brisbane Nurture Centre) is based on the northside of Brisbane at the North West Private Hospital. The centre offers a four-night residential stay which is suitable for infants and toddlers up to the age of 18 months. Families will receive expert advice, support and education from onsite paediatricians and nursing staff in relation to difficulties they are experiencing. A doctors referral is necessary to access this service.
Website: https://www.northwestprivatehospital.com.au/Early-Parenting-Centre/About-Us
Child Sleep Consultants
The Baby Sleep Company
The Baby Sleep Company offers a variety of support services throughout Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, catering for newborns and children up to the age of five. Services include in-home child sleep consultation, in-home overnight child sleep consultation, phone or Skype consultations and even a fly-in child sleep consultation, benefiting those living outside the Brisbane area. Operating in Brisbane for nearly a decade they have helped thousands of parents to achieve the gift of sleep. If you prefer a different approach, which can be undertaken from the comfort of your own home, then perhaps the online Baby Sleep Help Project is for you – with over 20 videos, e-books and online support available.
Website: https://thebabysleepcompany.com.au/
Dream Winks
If you are after a holistic approach when dealing with your child’s sleeping issues, then make sure you consider Dream Winks. Catherine is not only a certified sleep consultant, but she is also certified in Infant, Childhood and Adolescent nutrition. This experience and knowledge allow Catherine to consider areas such as diet, environment, routines and sleep patterns and how these may be affecting your little ones sleep. Dream Winks offers home visits, including overnights stays, as well as phone, email and skype consultations.
Website: https://dreamwinks.com/
Sleep Right Sleep Tight
Sleep Right Sleep Tight offers a free 15 min personal consultation to get you started on dealing with your babies sleep issues. Other services which are offered throughout the Brisbane and Cairns area include group seminars, home support, refresher consults and email support.
Website: https://www.sleeprightsleeptight.com.au/
Brisbane Baby Sleep Clinic at QCLASS
The Brisbane Baby Sleep Clinic can assist babies and preschool children experiencing a variety of sleep issues including trouble settling, frequent waking and transitioning issues. As this is a service run by a GP, no referral is required for an appointment and if need be children can be referred to other specialists within the Queensland Children’s Lung and Sleep Specialists (QCLASS) Centre.
Website: https://www.brisbanebabysleepclinic.com/
Baby Sleep Well
Kathy, from Baby Sleep Well, is a Registered Nurse, Certified Midwife and Mothercraft Nurse and offers sleep, nutrition and development services for babies and young children. Services include in-home consultants, overnight stays and phone or skype consultations.
Website: http://www.babysleepwell.com.au/
The most important thing to remember when struggling with child sleep issues is many families have gone before you and experienced similar situations. Take comfort in knowing you are not alone and there is help available.
As with many things, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to your child’s sleeping issues. Be sure to do your research and find a place that feels comfortable for you and your baby and aligns with your family’s values.
Gail Jenkin
The Ellen Barron Family Centre was a lifesaver. Our Pediatrician referred us there when Master X was 6 months old after no one got ANY sleep for 6 months – he was a premmie bub and we were just struggling. At that time we got to stay in the centre for a week. The staff are just amazing at their job and the advice and help they gave changed our lives. The staff were calm but firm, extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Their advice works
There were about 5 or 6 bubs in the area we were in; all different ages up to about 2 years old. Each family (usually mum and bub, sometimes 2 parents and bub) has a private room with their own bathroom and small outdoor area. The kitchen area was a shared space.
During our stay the staff work with baby and mum to see what’s happening for the individual. assessed everything and then showed us what was needed for success. They noticed every little thing. The staff at the time (6 years ago) also handled the feeding issues we were having and helped us plan what was needed each day.
We were able to go home with better skills able to implement a good routine and have a much happier baby and not be stressed out all day every day. Instead of 20 minute cat naps, Master X now could sleep for 2-4 hours and longer. Everyone got to have more sleep.
If you have a bub that has sleep issues or you are struggling to settle your bub, talk to your doctor to see if you can be referred. If you know a mum who is super stressed and not coping, tell them about the Ellen Barron Family Centre and support them to get some help. Always remember, you don’t have to struggle so much – there is a help available.